Making Plans to Downsize to a Smaller Home

Making plans to downsize from a larger home to a smaller home can be a challenge, but when you know it’s time, it’s time. However, there are steps you should take before making the leap to a whole new lifestyle. Downsizing to a smaller home can be a lot more work than you might expect! As you prepare to downsize, keep these tips in mind.

Strategically Declutter: Since you’re planning on downsizing the square footage of your home, it makes sense that your new property may not have a garage, a shed, excessive closet or pantry space, an attic, or other storage areas. Unfortunately, this means you’ll likely need to declutter.

Consider donating items, digitizing photos and documents, or selling belongings online. Ideally, you should begin this process at least three months before you begin to look at homes. When purchasing new items for your next home, think about buying multipurpose products and organizational tools to help you save even more space.

Know What You’re Looking For: Everyone has a different reason for wanting to downsize. Maybe you’re a new empty-nester, looking for a low-maintenance or accessibility-friendly home to enjoy in your retirement, or perhaps you’re simply hoping to save money. Whatever your reason for downsizing is, it’s important to know so that you can make a list of what you’re looking for in a new home. If you don’t want to move again for a while, you should also think about long-term needs. What you don’t want today might be exactly what you need in a few years’ time.

Explore Your Options: If you have arthritis or other health issues, consider prioritizing single-story properties in your home search. Added steps increase the risk of tripping and can often still be found in one-story properties, so be on the lookout for those as you tour from room to room. It can sometimes be a challenge to find coveted single-story homes, so be sure to work with a Realtor® to stay on top of new listings.

You may also want to consider properties that include services like maintenance, landscaping, security, or other concierge services. Believe it or not, you don’t need to be a part of an HOA to enjoy these benefits. Some luxury high-rise apartments and upscale communities offer these services! Like single-story homes, properties with added benefits like these don’t stay on the market for long, so it’s important to work with a motivated real estate agent.

Are you interested in buying or selling a home? Contact us today at 713-364-5883 or info@angelfultzrealty.com.